Consul General of France, in Lagos, Mrs. Laurence Monmayrant, has stressed the need for Nigeria to improve on sectors like power, road and other infrastructure to make Nigeria a better place for businesses to thrive. The consular, who commended the Nigerian government for reforms carried out by the Presidential Enabling Business Council (PEBC), said the country’s progression in the latest ease of doing business ranking is a good sign; adding that French companies are more willing to do business in Nigeria, whether for expectations or for investments. Speaking at the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), news conference, in Lagos, yesterday, Monmayrant said France-Nigeria relations have improved over the years, as Nigeria is the number one trade partner of France within the sub-Saharan African region, with trade figure of over €4 billion in 2018 from about €3.6 billion in 2017. “We expect that 2019 would account for more as French companies continue to show interest in the Nigerian economy. The economic actors, which are Business France, AFD Propaco, FNCCI, the Economic section of the embassy have continued to engage and promote the Nigeria France relationship.” According to her, the French Development Agency (AFD), since 2010, when it was set up in Nigeria, has financed over 30 projects with €1.5 billion in commitment, adding that President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Nigeria in 2018, further reinforces the very strong bilateral relationship between both countries.